Andoine was right. Lin Li sat there for less than ten minutes before he saw the fatty Hoffman walking towards him with a goblet of wine in his hand.
"Good evening, Master Andoine, Master Felic."
"Good evening, Hoffman …" How could Andoine not know what Hoffman was here for when he was so old that he was almost a wily old fox? After greeting him with a smile, Andoine stood up from his chair. "Take your time. I have a few acquaintances over there. I'll go and say hello to them."
"Then, I shall not hold you up any longer …" After watching Andoine leave, Hoffman's beady eyes narrowed into a line as he smiled. "Master Felic, your performance in the afternoon was too exciting. Tsk, tsk, tsk. I really can't imagine that such exquisite pharmaceutical skills would appear in a young man!"
"You're too kind …"
"No, no, no. This is definitely not flattery." Hoffman shook his head. His fat face was not as wretched as before. It looked unusually serious. "I started studying pharmaceutics when I was a teenager. In these few decades, I've seen countless pharmacists, but I've never seen anyone who can be compared to you in terms of pharmaceutical skills. To put it bluntly, even the two recognized authorities in pharmaceutics in the Felan Kingdom, President Balbo and Master Burnside, are still a distance away from you in this aspect …"
"Mr Hoffman, you must be joking. How can I be compared to the two of them?" Lin Li said modestly, but he had to admit that Hoffman's series of flattery made him feel good.
It seemed like Andoine was right. Hoffman, this fat businessman, was really interesting. One would never feel uncomfortable talking to him. He would always pick the nicest things to say, and would never mention one's shortcomings. Furthermore, his praises were not superficial. They were always meaningful. Even if one knew that he was flattering, one could not help but want to hear it a few more times …
One was in a good mood, and the other was deliberately flattering him. Their conversation was naturally pleasant. After a round of greetings, they looked like old friends who had known each other for a long time. The few pharmacists at the side could not help but look back. They thought, Hoffman, this damned fatty, actually hid it so well. How did they not know that he knew Master Felic?
After listening to Hoffman's flattery, Lin Li then asked with satisfaction, "Oh, yes. Mr Hoffman, I heard from Teacher Andoine that you were looking for me?"
"Yes, yes, yes …" Hearing Lin Li mention it, Hoffman immediately smiled brightly. "It's like this, Master Felic. Some time ago, our Glittergold Trade Union spent a lot of money to buy a potion formula. But when I got it, I realized that the content of the formula was too obscure. I spent more than two months, and still could not understand it. After that, I visited many famous pharmacists, such as Sendros, Johnathan, and Englos. Unfortunately, the results were all the same. No one could solve this problem. I even thought that this formula was an impossible task. Until today, when I met Master Felic at the Pharmacists Guild …"
"This, Mr Hoffman, you're too kind. To tell you the truth, although I can concoct the Void Power Potion, it's only because I've encountered it before. Compared to Mr Sendros, His Highness Johnathan, and Bishop Englos, I still have a lot of things to learn. Even if I wanted to help, I'm afraid I'm unable to solve a formula that even they can't solve …"
"Master Felic, you're too humble …" The smile on Hoffman's face was still as bright as ever. "How about this, Master Felic, I promise you in the name of the Glittergold Trade Union that as long as you're willing to try this formula, no matter if it's a success or not, the Glittergold Trade Union will pay you a huge sum of money in the end. The price will be at least one million gold coins. What do you think?"
"This …" Although Lin Li's expression was calm, he could not help but be shocked in his heart. The Glittergold Trade Union was indeed generous. They could get one million gold coins just by trying it out. This meant that he did not want to help him at all. If he did not put in any effort, wouldn't this one million gold coins go down the drain?
"As for the reward after success, I've already told Master Andoine about it …" Hoffman smiled confidently, and continued to tempt Lin Li with even greater benefits. "I have a Book of Ten Thousand Incantations with me. It was taken from a Greater Demon's palace when Highlord Osric went on an expedition to the Abyss. Not only does it contain great power, it's said that it also hides a huge secret. If you can help me complete this formula, I'll give this Book of Ten Thousand Incantations to you."
"How about this, Mr Hoffman, let me think about it …"
"Alright, alright …" Seeing that the other party did not reject him directly, Hoffman could not help but reveal a hint of joy on his face. "Oh, yes. Master Felic, I'll be staying in Alanna for the next month. Once you've thought about it, let me know."
"Where can I find you?"
"Oh, yes …" Hoffman hurriedly took out a crystal card from his pocket. "This is the VIP card of the Glittergold Bank. If you want to find me, you can take this VIP card to the Glittergold Bank — any Glittergold Bank will do. There will naturally be people there to meet all your needs."
"Alright then." Lin Li did not stand on ceremony, and accepted the crystal card.
"Oh, yes, Master Felic …" When Hoffman stood up, he smiled mysteriously, and said, "From the perspective of a pharmacist, I have to tell you that the formula is really interesting."
"Is it?"
"I swear!" Hoffman's expression was solemn, but he kept Lin Li in suspense. "As for how interesting it is, you'll know when you see it yourself."
Not long after Hoffman left, Andoine slipped back again.
"How did the discussion go?"
"It's done. Actually, it's not a big deal. Hoffman's purpose for coming to me is to help him solve a formula. If it's successful, I'll get the Book of Ten Thousand Incantations. If not, I'll get a million gold coins …"
"So, you agreed?"
"No, I told him that I need to think about it …"
"What's there to think about …"
"Keep him in suspense first. Anyway, there's no rush …"
"…" Andoine immediately rolled his eyes. At first, he was still worried that this kid would be at a disadvantage. He did not expect him to be so wicked. It was obviously something that would benefit everyone, but he still wanted to keep him in suspense. Thinking of Hoffman's anxious expression when he came to find him, he wondered how anxious he was now …
"That Book of Ten Thousand Incantations, is it really that powerful?"
"Believe me, it's definitely powerful!" Andoine said resolutely.
"Alright then, I'll think of a way to get this thing." Honestly speaking, Lin Li was also very interested in this Book of Ten Thousand Incantations. It was not only because Andoine said it was very powerful, but the key was that this thing was a relic of Osric. Maybe this Book of Ten Thousand Incantations hid a secret related to the Eternal Furnace.
"Felic, why are you sitting here? You're the main character today, why don't you go out and have a drink with everyone?" As the two were talking, they saw Balbo walking over with a smile.
"Good evening, President Balbo." Seeing that it was Balbo, Lin Li hurriedly stood up to greet him.
"Sit, sit, sit. Young people don't have to be so reserved." The smile on Balbo's face was unusually amiable. As he invited Lin Li to sit, he chatted with Andoine. "Andoine, this time, I'm really a little jealous of you. Look at your disciple, and then look at my disciple. It's like heaven and earth. How do you have such good luck?"
"That's because your foresight is not as good as mine." Andoine was not polite at all when this matter was brought up. He arrogantly rebutted Balbo with a sentence.
"That's, that's …" Balbo laughed awkwardly.
Having been a Legendary-mage for tens of years, Andoine had never thought that he would be able to hold his head high in the Pharmacists Guild like today. In a good mood, he did not continue to make things difficult for Balbo. "We've been friends for tens of years. Don't say that I'm not giving you face. I'm going out for a walk. If you have anything to say, say it quickly."
After watching Andoine leave, Balbo chatted with Lin Li for a while. Then, he took out the excuse that he had long thought of. "Felic, I heard from Burnside that you seem to need some Leaf of the Origin Tree?"
"Yes, I do need some Leaf of the Origin Tree. I wonder if President Balbo is willing to sell me some." This time, Lin Li did not hide it. Anyway, he had to find Balbo for the Leaf of the Origin Tree.
"What's there to sell? You've helped the Pharmacists Guild twice in a row today. I was still worrying about how to thank you. What's a little Leaf of the Origin Tree? Just let me know how much you need. I'll get Burnside to bring it to you in a while."
"Then I'll thank President Balbo first."
"No problem, no problem." Balbo said with a face full of generosity. Then, he carefully brought up the main topic. "Oh yes, Felic, I wonder what you think of the Pharmacists Guild?"
"Not bad."
When the words "not bad" fell into his ears, Balbo's heart was instantly filled with joy. He listened attentively, waiting to hear the rest of the conversation. Who knew that after waiting for a long time, there was nothing. After about a minute, the president finally reacted. "That's all?"
"Yes." Lin Li nodded his head with a face full of certainty.
"…" Balbo simply did not know whether to laugh or cry. He had asked so many questions because he was waiting for this kid to praise the Pharmacists Guild. Then, he could go with the flow and send him an invitation. Who knew that after waiting for such a long time, he would get this "not bad". No matter how eloquent Balbo was, this invitation could only be stuck in his throat.
Balbo thought about it, and still decided not to beat around the bush. The president coughed dryly and cleared his throat. The expression on his face became serious. "Felic, I wonder if you have any interest in joining the Pharmacists Guild?"
"This …" Lin Li really had a headache. In the afternoon, he had already rejected Old Grimm's persuasion. He did not think that this president would not give up, and actually came personally. Lin Li thought about it, and decided to make things clearer. "President Balbo, you should know that I'm a member of the Jarrosus Guild of Magic. I'm afraid it's not too appropriate to switch to the Pharmacists Guild, right?"
"Felic …" This young man's rejection was already within Balbo's expectations. After thinking for a while, he took out the words that he had long prepared. "Actually, there are some things that I wanted to tell you in the morning. For a genius pharmacist like you, staying in a place like Jarrosus is really a waste of talent …"
Speaking up to this point, Balbo seemed to realize that his words were somewhat inappropriate. He hurriedly corrected himself. "Of course, what I meant was not to say about the Jarrosus Guild of Magic. I just wanted to tell you that the stage of Jarrosus is too small, and cannot accommodate a genius like you. Do you know that I, Balbo, have lived for more than a hundred years, and have never seen a genius like you. A 20-year-old potion master. Do you know what this means? This means that as long as you are willing to work hard and have a suitable environment, you will definitely become a true pharmaceutics guru within 10 years! "
"So what?" Lin Li pursed his lips. He was really too embarrassed to tell Balbo that he would already be a pharmaceutics guru within 10 years. The only thing that could move him was an unprecedented Divine Smith. However, how could the illusory realm of a Divine Smith be determined by hard work and environment?
"Alright, alright …" Balbo could only sigh when he met such a guy with no aspirations. "Even if you don't want to pursue a higher standard of pharmaceutics, you should still need all the herbs that you need, right? What the Pharmacists Guild has is not only potions. We also have huge financial resources. As long as you want the herbs, we have a way to get them for you. Can the Jarrosus Guild of Magic give you these things? Don't lie to yourself, Felic. You and I both know what a place like Jarrosus is like. "
"This …"
"Also!" Without waiting for Lin Li to speak, Balbo had already started talking incessantly. "There's one thing you have to know. Since the Dark Ages, the Pharmacists Guild has been the closest comrade of the Supreme Council. If you want to grasp more powerful magical powers and learn more profound magical knowledge, joining the Pharmacists Guild is definitely the best choice. What can you get from the Jarrosus Guild of Magic? A trial for young mages once a year, or a learning opportunity once every three years? As long as you are willing to join the Pharmacists Guild, I can even personally help you get all kinds of lost spells. Some of them, even Andoine did not have the chance to come into contact with! "
"President Balbo …"
"Let me finish at once …" When Balbo said this, he was already a little agitated. "Felic, I'm not afraid to tell you the truth. This time, I have made a big decision. As long as you can join the Pharmacists Guild, I can say that I will do anything. You can ask Burnside. I have even prepared a Book of Ten Thousand Spells for you. As long as you are willing to join, this treasure that has been passed down from the Dark Ages will be yours!"
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